DHH Reopens Five Oyster Harvest Areas

Areas 2, 3, 14, 15 and 17 are Slated to Reopen Saturday Morning

September 24, 2010

The Louisiana Department of Health announced today the reopening of oyster harvesting areas 2, 3, 14, 15 and 17 after working with officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other state and federal partners.

Harvest areas 2 and 3, which were originally closed July 5th, are east of the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish. Harvest areas 14, 15 and 17 have been partially closed since May 23rd. Area 14 is in Lafourche Parish and areas 15 and 17 are in Terrebonne Parish. These harvesting areas were closed as a precaution in anticipation of possible oil intrusion.

LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry signed the order today to reopen areas 2 and 3 effective one half hour prior to official sunrise September 25.

The public is encouraged to call a toll-free hotline, 1-800-256-2775, to report the presence of oil or an oil sheen.

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's blog at www.myhealthla.org, Twitter at http://twitter.com/La_Health_Dept and search for the Louisiana Department of Health on Facebook.